Tinea Capitis

Abstract

Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp caused by a dermatophyte from the Trichophyton or Microsporum genera [1]. Tinea capitis mainly affects children, and infections in adults are not that common. T. tonsurans is the most common dermatophyte that causes tinea capitis in the United States, followed by M. canis [1, 2]. Tinea capitis infections by T. tonsurans tend to affect people of African descent more. T. violaceum is an endemic cause of tinea capitis in Africa and has increased in the United States, likely due to immigration patterns. T. tonsurans and M. canis are common causes of tinea capitis in Europe as well. M. audouinii was really common but then decreased in incidence due to social and therapeutic advances. M. audouinii has reappeared in Europe and may potentially reappear in the United States [1].